Last Updated on 3 months ago by Charbel Coorey
There is no quiet period in the cricket calendar. Just days after the completion of the Big Bash League (BBL), Australia will begin a three-match T20I series in Pakistan in preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Australia have named a 17-man squad for this series owing largely to the short turnaround. According to CODE Sports, Mitchell Marsh will be rested from the first match with Travis Head to captain the side.
It remains to be seen if any of Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly, Mahli Beardman, Josh Philippe, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis – who featured in the BBL Final – will play in the opening T20I.
Australia squad for 2026 T20I series against Pakistan: Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stonis, Adam Zampa
Australia possible 11 for 1st T20 against Pakistan on January 29 2026
1. Travis Head (c), 2. Matt Short, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Matt Renshaw 5. Cooper Connolly, 6. Mitch Owen/Jack Edwards, 7. Josh Philippe (wk), 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Matt Kuhnemann, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Ben Dwarshuis/Mahli Beardman
Along with Head, Cameron Green should start given the extra time he’s had to recover. Head and Green did not feature in the BBL.
With Marsh rested, Matt Short could open the batting with Matt Renshaw at four with Marcus Stoinis also expected to miss out according to ESPNcricinfo.
On the bowling front, Matt Kuhnemann and Adam Zampa could both line up given the importance of spin. Xavier Bartlett’s Brisbane Heat did not qualify for the BBL playoffs, so he is a chance of featuring alongside one of Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis or Mahli Beardman depending on how they’ve recovered from Sunday’s BBL Final and subsequent travel to Pakistan.
The three-match series begins on January 29. The remaining two matches will take place on January 31 and February 1 respectively, also at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
More to come pending squad updates…
